NEWS - THE STAND

Here is a rather wonderful, succinct and well-thought out review of The Stand comic from Comic Heroes Magazine:

"Over the course of 31 issues, collected in six volumes, Marvel has produced arguably the finest novel-to-comics adaptation ever. Not only does Stephen King's The Stand remain utterly faithful to the source material, it manages to convey almost all of the power of King's apocalyptic epic and as much of the depth of characterisation as can reasonably be expected.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has expertly filleted the original text; a true flavour of King's literary 'voice' seeps through in every caption. He also retains the novel's many quiet, reflective interludes rather than trying to hone it down to a series of action sequences and moments of horror. This is particularly evident in No Man's Land, in which the good guys begin re-establishing some kind of societal normality after the death and devastation caused by a lethal flu plague. The talking-head character interplay is as tense and compelling as the violence and self-sacrifice in the final volume.

Fine though the scripting is, the art is even better. Mike Perkins' calm, naturalistic style - illuminated by Laura Martin's understated colouring - is perfect for a story about ordinary people grappling with threats both supernatural and mundane"

Due out in June:
STAND OMNIBUS HC SLIPCASE $150
(W) Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (A) Mike Perkins (CA) TBD
The Stand is a classic tale of good vs. evil, loss weighed against redemption and despair pitted against hope. It is an apocalyptic vision of man’s battle to save life against a worldwide plague of death. When the viral strain dubbed “Captain Trips” works its way across the face of the country, the painfully few survivors are launched into a nightmare that’s only just begun – but for the Dark Man, Randall Flagg, it’s a dream come true. Based on the masterpiece of apocalyptic horror by celebrated author Stephen King, this lavish adaptation is packed with extras in a two-volume slipcased set!
Collecting

Mike Perkins has started a page on Facebook dedicated to Marvel's adaptation of The Stand - appropriately titled Marvel's The Stand. He'll be posting artwork and release info up there - and if any one has any questions about the series that'd be the place to ask them.

When Marvel released the hardback version of Captain Trips it was only sold online. Next year they will release a new version that you will be able to buy in any bookstore that wants to carry it. Today I got a copy and the cover looks really, really nice.

OK, The Stand Week here at Lilja’s Library is over. It seems to have been a huge success and before we get on with the winners of the contest and the correct answers. Here is all the interesting stuff that happened during the week:

It’s theme week here at Lilja’s Library. This time we focus on The Stand and the release of the hardback edition of Captain Trips and the first issue of American Nightmare. To celebrate this I have put together a week for you that I hope you will enjoy. Here is what you’ll get:

Lilja’s Library is also working with Tales Of Wonder to give you the best price possible on The Stand comic even if you don’t live in the US. They are offering to sell the hardback of The Stand: Captain Trips (the regular cover) for $28 (retail price is $25) and that includes postage outside the US which is otherwise much higher than $3. US customer get 30% off plus shipping. Shipping is $1.99 plus $0.79 per book (free shipping above $99).

And as if that isn’t enough they are also offering to throw in a random selected variant cover (from one of the five issues of Captain Trips) to those customers who buys the hardback for as long as their supplies last. How about that? Just go here to order. And while there, check out their signed copies of The Stand: Captain Trips hardback as well.

Comments, questions or thoughts about the week? Don’t hesitate to let me know.

On King's official site you can now download the complete first issue of Captain Trips.

Marvel has announced that The Stand: Captain Trips Premiere Hardcover will be available exclusively at comic shops and TalesOfWonder.com. The highly anticipated collection includes all five issues of the first arc.

To celebrate, Marvel is offering visitors of StephenKing.com a complimentary digital version of the complete first issue. This download also includes the Captain Trips Sketch Book. - A must have file for The Stand's constant readers.

That's right....this week sees the release of the fifth issue of Marvel's adaptation of Stephen King's The Stand.

This was my favourite issue to illustrate so far. It's the FLAGG issue, of course.

Need I say more?!

By the way - next weekend ( Feb 6th-8th) I'll be attending the New York Comic Convention where I'll be chatting, sketching and selling pages of artwork - Stand pages among them - including all the pages from Issue 5. If you're in the area please pop by and say hello.

Here is the full cover for the limited edition of The Stand: Captain Trips in hardback. And if you order it over at Overlook Connection Dave will you 10% off. Just give him the coupon code LiljaStand when you order.

Marvel has just announce it’s release of the hardcover of The Stand: Captain Trips. The difference this time is that it will be sold exclusively to direct market retailers.

Here is Marvle’s press release:

Marvel is proud to announce the highly-anticipated The Stand: Captain Trips Premiere Hardcover, collecting the first critically-acclaimed graphic fiction adaptation of Stephen King’s seminal novel, will be released EXCLUSIVELY to direct market retailers on March 10th at a special Stand Advance Release Opening at 9pm local time. This hardcover collects the entire The Stand: Captain Trips limited series by the superstar creative team of writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four, Angel: Revelations),Eisner-nominated artist Mike Perkins (Captain America, House of M: Avengers) and Eisner-winning colorist Laura Martin (Astonishing X-Men) with two stunning covers—one by the red-hot Lee Bermejo and a limited edition gatefold cover by Perkins. King fans should know that both editions are available ONLY in comic shops across the country, and through online comics and collected editions sellers.

In the tradition of Civil War and Secret Invasion, The Stand: Captain Trips Premiere HC will debut amid a flurry of mainstream and hobby market press, with Marvel providing retailers an array of complimentary promotional tools.

“Marvel is excited to present this unique opportunity to our partners in the direct market who’ve helped make The Stand such a success,” explained David Gabriel, Marvel Senior Vice President of Sales. “We appreciate their overwhelming support for The Stand: Captain Trips and want to thank them with the option of either the regular cover or the limited edition gatefold cover.”

Here’s the cover for the first issue (of five) of the second story arc of The Stand. The arc’s title is American Nightmares and the first issue is released in March 2009.

The second arc begins! The deadly super flu Captain Trips has devastated the country and now the few survivors must pick up the pieces and go on. Larry Underwood seeks escape from New York City. Lloyd contemplates an extremely unsavory dinner option in jail, and Stu Redman makes a desperate bid for freedom from his interrogators. Most ominous of all, the stange being called Randall Flagg continues his dread journey across the devastated landscape of America. You must not miss it!

Here is the cover for the 2nd printing of the first issue of Captain Trips.

The first chapter of Stephen King’s acclaimed horror epic, The Stand: Captain Trips, debuted this month in graphic fiction form and was an instant hit with fans. After a quick sell out at Diamond, Marvel is pleased to announce that they will be going back to the press with The Stand: Captain Trips #1 (of 5) Second Printing Variant! The Stand, which is commonly deemed as King's most popular novel, is a story of Biblical proportions; after a virus produced by the government spreads across the country, destroying the human race, the few survivors left alive must band together and make their final stand! Written by acclaimed scribe Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four) and featuring the visually stunning interiors of Eisner-nominated artist, Mike Perkins (Captain America, House of M: Avengers), comes the beginning of the end of the world! Plus, check out the all new variant cover featuring the mind-blowing art of Mike Perkins!

Don’t miss the midnight openings on September 10th. Mike Perkins (artist for The Stand: Captain Trips) and Peter David (writer for Treachery) for The Stand: Captain Trips, will be doing several signings. For more information about the events, visit this link.

Here is an interview with Mike Perkins, who's illustrating The Stand comic. In it (among other things) he mentions a sketchbook that will be released within a week and (like with The Dark Tower sketchbook) it'll be free.

In other words; Go hunt for it now!

The sketchbook introduces you to the initial characters through the design work I've done. There's also some cover roughs and finished designs from myself and Lee Bermejo, as well as the promo piece that was teased in New York at Comic Con.

It begins here: the apocalyptic epic battle between good and evil based on the classic bestseller by master of horror Stephen King! On a secret army base in the Californian desert, something has gone horribly, terribly wrong. Something that will send Charlie Campion and his wife and daughter fleeing in the middle of the night. Unfortunately for the Campion family--and the rest of America--they are unaware that all three of them are carrying a deadly cargo: A virus that will spread from person to person like wildfire, triggering a massive wave of disease and death, prefacing humanity's last stand! Be there as writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four) teams with artist Mike Perkins (Captain America) for the first arc in the next great Stephen King event!

Yesterday Marvel announced their new King project and it didn’t come as a big surprise that it’s The Stand that’s getting adapted. The comic will be edited by Bill Rosemann who also brings with him an impressive pool of talent to produce this top notch adaptation. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa handles scripting duties while Mike Perkins draws, inks and provides variant covers. Colorist Laura Martin, letterer Chris Eliopolus and cover artist Lee Berjemo round out this creative juggernaut.